Safety tips for riding a bike in the city

Road Etiquette

Tips on how to keep safe while ridding around town

SAFE DISTANCE
Keep at least 1 meter distance from road side and parked vehicles. Avoid obstacles and be noticed by drivers.
Always be aware of gutters, potholes and other road hazards
when looking ahead to choose your best line.

STAY OUT OF THE DOOR ZONE
You may get unexpectedly hit by an opening door!

TURN WITH TRAFFIC
When turning Left, move steadily, about 100 meters before the junction, towards the Left edge of the lane.Less confident cyclists, follow the indirect methodWALKING the bike (orange line) over pedestrians crossing.

RIGHT OF WAYWhen showing from the right, cyclists have the right of way at any junction with no road signs.

ON MULTI-LANE ROADS
An experienced cyclist should be able to look over the shoulders and go along with traffic.

TAKE THE LANEWhen approaching road junctions,take the lane about 50 meters before the junction.Avoid the “right hook”: being overtaken by drivers who want to turn right.

MAKE EYE CONTACT
Look for the eyes of other road users.Be Seen and Be Noticed ALWAYS make eye contact with drivers
and pedestrians along the way.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Always place yourself in the center of the lane.
Do not stay side by side with any vehicle while waiting.

BIKE ZEBRAS
Cyclists crossing on sign posted and road painted bike zebras will have right way,
just like pedestrians on their zebra crossings

BE AWARE OF PEDESTRIANSPedestrians tend to trust their ears, when crossing a road. Because bicycles are silent, they may not be expected.
Stay alert and ring the bell to avoid accidents.
You may shout ahead:
Atencão ESQUERDA (Passing on Left)
Atencão DIREITA (Passing on Right)

BIG, LONG and HEAVY VEHICLES
Watch Out! When Passing or being passed by a long vehicle.
The rear part of the vehicle may swing over towards you.Stay in the center of the lane before the overtake.Long vehicles have narrower visibility and hazardous blind spots.

CHILDREN UP TO 10 YEARS
Are allowed to cycle on sidewalks and pedestrian streets
as long as pedestrians are not put at risk.

INSIDE ROUNDABOUTSCyclists already in the roundabout, have right of way and should should give way to those willing to exit.
Keep looking over both shoulders for other vehicles.
If needed, indicate your intention of staying in the roundabout using your left arm.Less confident cyclists, follow the indirect methodWALKING the bike (orange line) over pedestrians crossing.

RIDING ON BUS LANES
Usually not legal, but often preferred choice.
Even though riding bikes on BUS lanes is not allowed,
BUS lanes are often a preferred choice of many cyclists.
When safe make it easy for buses and taxis to overtake you.
Never ride over the line between lanes.

CROSSING TRAM TRACKS
Ideally bear away just before crossing them then ride with both wheels at a 45º angle or more.
In some cases it might be safer to ride on the left of the tracks.

RIDE SIDE BY SIDECyclists are allowed to ride in pairs as long as it is safe
and traffic is not disrupted.
When safe make it easy for others to overtake you.